Hilliard Food Pantry Plus bounces back, revamps Share Closet
HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s been a year and half since the Hilliard Food Pantry Plus went up in flames, but volunteers didn’t let that stop them and have been working hard to recover ever since.
After losing their location on Cemetery Road, the pantry moved to Hilliard Methodist United Church. That’s where the Share Closet was born, allowing community members to come in for clothing and small appliances.
“We started with the Share Closet in the little space in the back of the pantry,” Dr. Brenda Martinez-Nieves, manager of the Share Closet, said.
She said they originally started rebuilding to eventually move the pantry back to its old location, but as time passed and both the closet and pantry grew, they changed plans. The food pantry is staying at Hilliard Methodist United Church and, on Saturday morning, volunteers opened up their revamped Share Closet.
“There we can have all the resources that are needed and supply the pantry and then here we have enough resources and space to actually set up our store,” Martinez-Nieves said.
She said the closet is open to anyone as long as they live in one of the seven eligible zip codes and make an appointment. According to the closet's scheduling calendar, it plans to be open Thursday through Saturday starting Jan. 16 and continuing through at least Feb. 8.
“A family can come and shop as a whole for once a month and it doesn’t have a limiting factor of your income. So you can come and shop regardless of your income because what we are here for is to make sure that the community has the resources that they need,” Martinez-Nieves said.
She said it was a successful opening day with 70 appointments made.
“It actually fills my cup in such a way that is beyond what I ever thought. I even get goosebumps because it’s so amazing to see the community,” she said.
Martinez-Nieves said none of this would have been possible without community support.
“I mean the amount of donations that we have received, it’s beyond comprehension,” she said.
If you are interested in donating, she said they are in the most need of boys' and men’s clothing, particularly pants and shoes. You can learn more about donation hours and how to make an appointment here.